No excuses for illegal weapons as deadline looms, police warn

AUCKLAND: There are just 50 days left until the firearms amnesty and buyback deadline and police have warned those who do not make the cutoff will feel the full force of the law.

A sixmonth amnesty and buyback scheme was put in place after gun law reforms — supported by all parties but Act New Zealand — banned most militarystyle semiautomatic firearms in the aftermath of the March 15 terrorist attacks in Christchurch.

Police have a very clear message to those still holding on to nowillegal guns and parts.

‘‘If you think you still have plenty of time to hand in your prohibited firearms, think again,’’ deputy commissioner Mike Clement said yesterday.

‘‘There will be no extension so if you want compensation for your firearms, to keep your licence and don’t want to be prosecuted, hand in your firearms now.’’

‘‘Everyone with a prohibited firearm or part needs to hand them in or they will be breaking the law after the amnesty ends on 20 December 2019.’’

Clement said he had a question for those stalling: ‘‘What are you waiting for?’’

‘‘Anyone prosecuted will lose their firearms licence and face a penalty of up to five years imprisonment.

‘‘I’d have to say to all the gun clubs and firearms enthusiasts out there, surely this is not what you want, to be unable to enjoy hunting or the hobby you enjoy ever again?’’

Clement said firearm holders have had multiple opportunities across the country to hand in their prohibited items since the programme started on June 20.

So far, just over 32,000 firearms have been handed in.

‘‘The vast majority of firearms owners understand why we are doing this,’’ Clement said.

‘‘To those that have yet to do so, the time is now and you have a number of options so there are no excuses.

‘‘Drop into one of the 41 approved dealers,’’ he said.

‘‘If you want to hold on to your firearm for sentimental reasons and it can be modified, get this in train now.

‘‘Apply for an endorsement licence if you are a pest controller/collector now.

‘‘If you think you have a unique/rare item, apply now.

‘‘I want to be very clear though. On 21 December, whether you are a licensed firearm holder or a gang member, if you are unlawfully and without authority in possession of a prohibited firearm you will be committing a criminal offence.

‘‘Failing to comply with the law is not the action of a lawabiding licensed firearms holder.

Earlier this month Police Minister Stuart Nash also ruled out extending the amnesty.

‘‘I can state absolutely for the record, there will be no extension or no exceptions,’’ he said at the annual Police Association conference.

The number of prohibited firearms is unknown, but estimates range from as low as 56,000 to as high as 250,000.

There are about 14,000 that have been registered under ECat firearms licences.

At last count, Nash said there have been about 30,000 prohibited weapons have been handed over to police, and $56 million had been paid out.

He said more than 100,000 prohibited parts, such as highcapacity magazines had been handed to police. — The New Zealand Herald